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Drunk students

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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AMA University

…MERHD investigates boozing involving male students studying in Manila

By Alfred Sasako

THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is investigating reports of boozing involving male students studying at two academic institutions in Manila, Philippines.

Island Sun was told about two weeks ago of instances suggesting that as soon as students, males in particular received their allowances, they would go into a drinking binge, became rowdy, causing excessive noise and disturbance to other students who share rented houses and or apartments with them.

In one incident, one student nearly got shot by an angry landlord after his wife allegedly reported that one of the drunken students downed his pants and showed her his private parts.

The landlord’s wife had apparently gone to the students to tell them to lower their noise. But instead, one of the male students took his pants off and showed the woman his private parts.

“In a fit of fury, the husband instantly ran out of their house with a gun in hand. Luckily, no one was hurt,” Island Sun was told.

On 30 August, Island emailed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), inquiring as to whether the Ministry is aware of the incident.

“I am not aware of the news but I can tell you that my Ministry will investigate the incident immediately and to consider [taking] appropriate action. Thank you for alerting me about the incident,” Dr Franco Rodie said.

It is understood that a senior official from the Ministry would be traveling to the Philippines sometimes next week to investigate the matter. The report by the official could determine the future of students allegedly involved in the boozing incident.

It is also understood that some government officials were aware of such behaviour by students both in the Philippines as well as in Fiji, where the report about a similar incident involving students went viral on the social media in recent weeks.

Meanwhile there are reports that Seasonal Workers’ in both Australia and New Zealand are being targeted by Solomon Islands’ female students studying overseas as well as women in Honiara.

“These students have been asking Seasonal Workers to send them money on a regular basis. It is a new phenomenon,” according to those familiar with it.

Mental fitness vital: Coach Sam

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Kurukuru Head Coach Jerry Sam

Kurkuru leaves next week for Turkmenistan

By Taromane Martin

Kurukuru Head Coach Jerry Sam

MENTAL fitness will be a concern for the Solomon Islands national futsal team, the Kurukurus, when they travel next week for the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts game in Turkmenistan.

The Kurukurus will leave the country Monday next week travelling via Fiji where they will spend two nights before flying to Singapore.

From Singapore the team will travel to Thailand on September 15 before flying over to Turkmenistan for the first game against Hong Kong on September 16.

With the Kurukurus set for a long journey, Head Coach Jerry Sam says mental fitness will be an area of wary for their first game which is very crucial.

“It will all come down to our mental fitness. Physically the boys are prepared but with the travelling scheduled the boys will be tired and as I said it will all come down to our mental fitness,” Coach Sam said.

“For now our preparation is towards our first game which is very important. We’ve watched some clips of some of our opponents just to give the boys an idea of what level and intensity they need to reach.

“At the moment we are confident in our preparation so far. However, the first game is very important as it will determine the level of confidence in the team,” he said.

The Kurukurus who played their final friendly match with a Honiara Select side yesterday managed to secure an 8-3 win.

Despite the win Coach Jerry Sam feels his team still need to work on their defence and step it up a little to the level he is expecting at the games.

“This is a new Kurukuru team. There are a lot of new players which I’m trying groom, build their confidence for the 2019 OFC qualifiers.

“I feel we are two steps ahead in our preparations with the movements we have been learning so far.

“The players especially the new ones need to have confidence with themselves. For me as a coach I believe the more we have possession, the more our confidence will build and the more chances we can create on the attack.

“However, overall, I’m really happy with the boy’s performance though there were some areas we slacked on a bit.

“Throughout the week we have been working hard on it because the players need to step up to the level I’m expecting at the games. Tactically we need to improve and step up on our defence,” the coach said.

Jerry Sam meanwhile thanked the Honiara Select side for the friendly stressing, “It was a very tough game for us physically but not tactically. This is the type of intensity I want to expose the boys to,” he said.

Risky meal

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Food outlets operating without proper monitoring, increasing cases of complaints

 

THE health risks associated with eating in one of the many food outlets in Honiara continues unchecked as the Government places little effort towards bolstering monitoring mechanisms.

This is despite efforts last year to enhance monitoring of food outlets when around 90 percent of food outlets in the city were slammed with closure notices for failing to comply with the country’s Pure Food Act.

This follows a ‘Food Hygiene and Safety Inspection Operation’ carried out by the Environmental Health Division, Honiara City Council and National Environment Health Division, Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

This time around, the Honiara City Council one of the partners in this initiative claims that limited resources is preventing them from properly monitoring food outlets in the city.

HCC Chief Health Inspector told Island Sun last week that there are only two hygiene inspectors covering the whole city.

Mr Titiulu pleads to the council and vested stakeholders to assist in this area.

“Imagine only these two staff to monitor all kaibars, restaurants, shops and water outlets in the city.

“Its difficult work to do and very demanding when other areas to support their work is also lacking.”

He further added that weak logistics support adds to his office’s burdens, also saying that these limitations pave way for public criticism.

Despite, this the Inspector maintains that they are improvising every day to provide their service to the best they can.

Relating to this issue, the paper is aware of several localised complaints of adverse health reactions by several consumers to food eaten at eateries around Honiara.

One case was reportedly presented to the clinic with severe blisters and sores around her mouth and difficulty in breathing, which is claimed to have been sustained after eating fish and chips from one eatery in town.

Fa’arodo hints international Retirement

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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National Soccer Captain Henry Fa’arodo has indicated retiring from international football by the end of this year but will continue playing club football.

But would love to wear the famous blue, yellow and green jersey in December’s Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu for the one last time before bidding farewell

BY ROMULUS HUTA

National Soccer Captain Henry Fa’arodo has indicated retiring from international football by the end of this year but will continue playing club football.

NATIONAL football captain Henry Fa’arodo is thinking of retiring from international football after the Pacific Mini Games this year.

The Pacific Mini Games will be held in Port Vila, Vanuatu from December 4 to 15.

Soccer is one of the codes that will be featured in the regional sporting event.

The attacking midfielder, who has 58 caps and scored 18 goals in his lengthy 15-year career donning the national jersey will consult loved ones before making this big decision.

Turning 35 on October 5, Fa’arodo said he may want to make the Mini Games as his last.

“Yes, that’s right. I have other options to take into account. For International, I would love to make the Mini Games as my last international. But again, I have to weigh up my options with the people close to me.

“But for club level, I’m still keen on playing.

“I’m still thinking about it. I have to sit down and speak to my wife, my dad and the people that matters in my life right now,” he told SunSPORTS in an interview yesterday.

Fa’arodo first debuted for the national senior soccer side at the age of 20 during the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Nations Cup held in Auckland, 2002.

His international debut a decade and a half ago was marked with a goal in the 6-1 loss to hosts, New Zealand.

Since then, he had become a main stayer in the national team until this week’s world cup qualifying match against New Zealand where coach Felipe Vega-Arango Alonso greatly acknowledged his tireless efforts on the pitch.

Commenting on his performances in the two-legged fixture against New Zealand in the Stage 3 Final of the Oceania World Cup Qualifier for Russia 2018 where Solomon Islands lost 8-3 on aggregate, Alonso described Fa’arodo as the best in Solomon Islands.

“Henry played a wonderful game.

“But I told him, you don’t have many international matches left to play, you are 35 years old.

“This is his last year playing he told me. He was wonderful.

“He was the best there. He did wonderful work here. He didn’t do any mistakes. He didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. He has worked and worked very hard as a wonderful skipper,” Alonso told reporters after the game.

Yesterday, Fa’arodo posted on his facebook page of being thankful for the football talent he have.

“Thank you lord for giving me football.

“I would like to take this time to say a very big thank you to my comrades – the senior national team – for the tireless efforts you have sacrificed for our beautiful game.

“We have been through it all. I am so honoured and blessed to be part of the journey.

“I will always cherish these moments.

“To our families – thank you for your continuous support and positiveness you have given us all through this journey.

“I have been blessed to be wearing the ‘blue, yellow, and green’.

“I have given everything, I have never left any stone unturned.

“I have been there, done that. I have no regrets.

“All I have now is pride for this country of ours. Go solo, Go. My love, my pride. Again, all praise and glory to you Our God,” he stated in the post.

While the campaign to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is now over for Fa’arodo and Solomon Islands, a final honourable opportunity to don the national jersey for a one last time already awaits him in the Pacific Mini Games in December where he will try to help Solomon Islands win gold in the football competition in bidding farewell to the famous blue, yellow and green jersey.

Reviewed Anti-Corruption Bill toothless against illicit gains

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Manasseh Sogavare

BLC labels this a regrettable decision & serious omission

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

PROVISIONS against illicit gains have been removed from the Anti-Corruption Bill 2016, and this has been described by the Bills and Legislations Committee (BLC) as a regrettable and serious omission.

This puts in question PM Manasseh Sogavare’s words that he withdrew the Bill to have it strengthened with recommendations to remove loopholes.

He had promised to bring back a robust and high-integrity Anti-Corruption Bill in the next Parliament sitting – only that it would be toothless against cases of illicit gains.

This issue of unjust   enrichment   (or illicit wealth)   was raised   by the Law Reform Commission (LRC) during   the hearings.

According   to the LRC, unjust enrichment   can occur when someone cannot justify, based on their means of income, how they own things that are beyond their income.

It places the burden   of proof on an accused   to prove   that their level of income is sufficient   to procure   assets they own.

The LRC recommended   its inclusion   to the sponsoring   ministry, but the recommendation   was rejected.

According   to the LHC there has been a study carried out by the United Nations and World Bank in 2012, which 44 countries   have adopted   that particular   provision   to enhance the legal framework they have to fight corruption   and they found it to be a very effective tool.

The LRC advocated   that it is good for Solomon Islands to consider adopting   and having such provision   in our legislation.

This, the Committee added, would show our people how serious we are about fighting corruption.

In response,   officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) and supported   by some witnesses   say that such provisions takes away the principle   of presumption   of innocence.

As a legal principle, any person accused   of a crime is always presumed   to be innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Including such provisions   in the Bill may erode this principle   as there are already related offences in the Penal Code and other legislations that can take care of the issue.

“On balance, however, and in light of the levels of corruption   in our public sector, unjust enrichment   provisions   are justifiable   and do not pose a threat to the principle of presumption   of innocence.

“The Committee   finds the exclusion of provisions   against illicit/unjust   enrichment   as a regrettable and serious omission. Such provisions   offer the most effective tool in the fight against corruption.

“The Committee   recommends   that the bill be amended   to include provisions   against illicit/unjust enrichment,” the report on the Anticorruption stated.

During discussions   Committee   members   concurred   with the submission   by the LRC that the Bill should   take a zero tolerance approach   against all forms of corrupt practice that is intruding   into various levels of our society.

SFA has done it again, while others sit idly and criticise

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

A week or so ago, the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) came in for severe criticisms by the Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament, Dr

Derek Sikua, who called for the deregistration of the logging industry’s self-regulatory body.

That was a week ago. This week, SFA remains unfazed in the face of the criticism.

As a matter of fact it has turned a new page, getting on with its charitable work. This time it again stepped in for the third time to help clear the charges relating to a 20-ft container sent for the National Referral Hospital by New Zealand’s charitable organisation, Take My Hands.

This was after the Ministry of Health and Medical Services had encountered difficulties in securing funds to pay port storage charges as well as transport cost to move the container from the Point Cruz wharf.

According to the Ministry, it submitted a payment requisition to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury last July when the container arrived from Auckland.

That request has been sitting in in-trays in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury since then.

The SFA being aware of the need to clear the consignment has offered to pick up the tabs on behalf of the National Referral Hospital.

It is understood the Board of Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) has acceded to a request that the storage charges be waived in aid of the NRH.

This is the third time SFA has come to the aid of the National Referral Hospital. The first, a large 40ft container with 48 hospital beds and mattresses for the National Referral Hospital arrived in Honiara on 1st October 2016.

SFA donated NZ$8, 000 (eight thousand New Zealand dollars) which met the full freighting and associated costs to ship the container to Honiara. Leftover funds were used for a second container, which arrived in Honiara last December.

Former Police commissioner, Frank Short, who was instrumental in sourcing and securing financial assistance for the donated goods, said then that the SFA had made a second donation totalling NZ$5, 500, which was remitted to Take My Hands.

Mr Short praised the SFA leadership saying it has, “once again, demonstrated its charitable support for local welfare needs and in doing so has clearly shown it is prepared to go the extra mile.”

“Profound thanks are, therefore, due to the SFA and to the NZ charitable trust, ‘Take My Hands,’ in continuing support of the Solomon Islands,” Mr Short said then.

Mr Short said the initial donation facilitated the arrival of the first container on 1 October 2015 of 48 hospital beds and mattresses.

The payment of NZ$5,500 sent by the SFA will cover the cost of the freightage of a 20 ft container of items of furniture, mobility equipment, second hand clothing and more beds.

All these items were requested for local NGO’s but the supply has been held up by TMH because the terrible earthquake in Nepal meant most of the supplies due to be shipped to Honiara had to be diverted at the last minute.

TMH is presently re-stocking a fresh container with the items Mr Short originally requested from New Zealand and it is expected the shipment will take place soon.

RSIPF Forensic Auditors

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dear Editor,
IN today’s edition of the SUN newspaper, former politician and veteran journalist, Alfred Sasako, wrote an article about JANUS having obtained 8 arrest warrants in order to pursue those alleged to have been involved in corrupt dealings.
In one closing paragraph Mr Sasako wrote, “One of the difficulties faced by JANUS investigators in establishing money trails is the lack of forensic auditors in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). Because JANUS’ work concentrates on alleged misuse of public funds, tracing the money trails contribute to delays in gathering evidence to support prosecution in court.”
If what Mr Sasko said is a fact regarding a lack of RSIPF trained forensic auditors then it is disappointing that not sufficient skills training was developed by RAMSI in the years before the Mission’s departure in June this year.
In 2013, yes, 2013, I addressed what I then saw as a problem to be faced by the police in dealing with corruption allegations as pressure would mount for anti-corruption investigations and commercial crime operations.
At the time I also suggested how the police skills could have been enhanced aided by the OECD.
Here is the original piece published in the Solomon Times on Line.
“Thursday, 5 December 2013 12:19 PM

Investigation and Prosecution of Corruption Allegations

“Your online publication recently highlighted two articles relating to alleged corruption in the Solomon Islands and particularly, it was claimed, in the government ministries.

“Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has called on the Leadership Code Commission (LCC) to refer serious cases to criminal investigators.

“Although there has been talk for many years about the creation of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) office in the Solomons, including draft planning, nothing has yet materialized and corruption cases have been dealt with by the police with a relative measure of success and aided by RAMSI.

“Dealing with allegations of corruption is often difficult, especially for police officers who haven’t had the required skills training and experience. In cases of corruption there isn’t a specific scene of crime, usually no eye-witnesses or fingerprints, complicated all the more in the Solomon Islands for, according to a recent people’s survey on accountability, people are often too afraid to report corruption.

“There are three recognized strategies needed to fight corruption and these are deterrence, prevention and education. All three are important but the first is deterrence and effective sentencing of those found guilty of corruption plays an important part.

“Any anti-corruption body, whether an independent agency or the police must have certain prerequisites for effective investigation of allegations of corruption. These can be summarized, briefly, as follows:

“Independence – Investigators must have independence and be free from any political or undue influence.

“Adequate power – Legislation must be available to ensure investigators have the tools, the power, to undertake their investigations and be able to prosecute offenders.

“Resources – Investigating cases of corruption is often protracted and time consuming and money must be allocated in an anti-corruption budget to be seen as an investment for a cleaner society.

“– Confidentiality is the key to successful corruption investigations in order to prevent interference or compromise investigations. Legislation must be available to prosecute those making any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

“Investigators – It follows that those involved in investigating corruption matters must be properly trained and be professional in both their work and conduct.

“I don’t know what training RAMSI has given to the detective officers’ of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in respect to the investigation of corruption cases but from reports which have, from time to time appeared in the local media, it seems that not enough has been done to investigate allegations of corruption reported to the police.

“In the time available before RAMSI’s final withdrawal, it might be appropriate to give added technical training to cover the proactive investigation methods needed to fully and effectively investigate reports of corruption, as well as providing adequate operational support.

“For those considering the training of police officers to combat corruption the OECD has several recommended training programmes that could be adopted successfully in countries where fighting corruption and promoting good governance are among the main priorities.”

Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Wini won Commonwealth gold

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
National Female Weightlifter Jenlyn Wini

BY ROMULUS HUTA

 

National Female Weightlifter Jenlyn Wini

NATIONAL female weightlifter Jenlyn Wini had won a gold medal in the Commonwealth and the Oceania Weightlifting Championships currently underway in Gold Coast, Australia.

Wini snatched gold in the women’s 58kg category to claim both the Commonwealth and the Oceania title on Tuesday.

She lifted an overall of 196kg after winching 87kg in snatch and 109kg in clean and jerk.

The result surpasses her previous personal best of 195kg recorded one and half year ago.

The result yesterday also got her automatically qualified into next April’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Wini is a two-time flag-bearer for Team Solomon Islands in two Olympic Games – London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Wini’s teammate Mary Kini also won bronze in the 52kg women’s category. She lifted an overall of 156kg, which is 68kg in snatch and 89kg in clean and jerk – also earning herself a place in the next Commonwealth Games automatically in the process.

Wini and Kini are both based at the Oceania Weightlifting Training Institute in Noumea, New Caledonia.

“I want to thank my coach Paul Coffa and wife Lily.

“I’m so pleased to win double title – both the commonwealth and the Oceania title.

“My three months of training has paid off.

“Big thanks to my family as well for supporting me,” an excited Wini said.

Gov’t cheque bounce

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon Snyder Rini

Treasury records $20 million weekly revenue collection shortfall on September 1

 

By Alfred Sasako

 

GOVERNMENT Treasury recorded a $20 million shortfall in its weekly revenue collection on September 1. As a result, government cheques made out to pay outstanding bills, bounced for the first time, sources told Island Sun yesterday.

This was despite assurance by Finance Minister Snyder Rini that the government’s cash flow crisis was over, the sources said.

Mr Rini reportedly told Parliament at the passage of the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill last week that the cash-flow crisis which the country experienced recently “is not an issue anymore as revenue generation is back on track”.

Parliament passed the $400 million-plus supplementary budget last week.

“With the passage of the bill, the assumption of poor government cash-flow is now water under the bridge and that the government will now be able to shoulder all its financial commitments in priority areas that touch the lives of Solomon Islanders,” Mr Rini reportedly said.

He also said the national inflation rate was “improving to a point that is good for the current state of the economy”.

“The Government has been experiencing cash-flow issues since early this year that resulted in the non-payments of its bills and other financial commitments.

“(This is due) to the slow start of economic activities at the beginning of the year. This is normal, adding the government responded by bringing forward cash from last year to fill the gap.”

Despite Minister Rini’s assurance, skeptics believe the delay in settling outstanding bills from service providers does not speak of a government with a stable cash-flow situation.

“Nothing has changed in terms of improvement in the government’s cash flow crisis. And that is what the government should be telling the public instead of giving misleading information that all is well,” one source told Island Sun yesterday.

According to Ministries, payment of salaries is now the number-one priority for the government, nothing more.

“Salaries of public servants and police and nurses are the number one weekly priority, nothing more nothing less. Any surplus is used to pay other statutory charges,” one source said.

It is understood the government spends between $10 million and $12 million on salaries of public servants.

Salaries of police and nurses cost between $7 million and $8 million a fortnight. Total salaries account for about $20 million.

The cash flow crisis is the result of revenue collection projection, which has fallen way below budget estimates, coupled with delays in getting the Tina Hydro Scheme off the ground as well as the Huawei undersea cable now being dogged by allegations of a $40 million bribe and security issues.

Skeptics say that in view of these matters, the government would continue to live in a hand-to-mouth situation for a long while yet.

Our Telekom boosts SINU communications

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Staff of Our Telekom and SINU in a group photo with Lowry Ngira and Professor Basil Marasinghe during signing of new contract yesterday
Staff of Our Telekom and SINU in a group photo with Lowry Ngira and Professor Basil Marasinghe during signing of new contract yesterday

SOLOMON Islands National University signed a new contract yesterday with Our Telekom, which would

increase the University’s telecommunications system.

The event convened SINU’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Basil Marasinghe and Our Telekom CEO, Mr Loyley Ngira, and staffs of both organisations.

Our Telekom will supply and install an Internet Protocol (IP) based internal phone system for SINU’s three campuses; a digitised system using the latest technology – voice over internet protocol.

Prof Basil Marasinghe said, “The system will have an initial capacity of 300 telephone extensions and additional capacity can be added in future, if required.”

Prof Marasinghe adds, Telekom’s new system will offer to SINU indial and other standard telephone facilities which the current system cannot offer.

“The new system will replace the existing system, which has over-lived its designed life and as such lacks required capacity to meet current and future telephone needs of the university.”

CEO Ngira pledged the company will collaborative with SINU regarding this contract.

He adds, Our Telekom is pleased to work together to help improve the ICT needs of the University at an affordable price.

Meanwhile, the system is expected to be in service in six weeks.

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